This is, by far, going to be one of the toughest reviews I have ever done. And I mean that in a good way. This CD absolutely floored me and as fast as all of the good things I want to say are racing through my mind, there are so many that I just don't know where to start. I may very well have to turn the CD off to get this review done. Sitting still to type, and paying attention to what I have to say, may virtually be impossible while listening to "GOING HOME".

I guess I'll start off by expressing my frustration. Yes, I am actually disappointed in the fact that this excellent band - THE BLASTERS - have been around since 1980 and this is the first I have heard of them. You can bet that the first chance I get, I will be looking to obtain more of their earlier material.

Being eager to learn more about this band before attempting to say anything about them, I read, in earnest, the seven page booklet that accompanied the CD. That only led me to want to know more. Suddenly I found myself not only at the website of THE BLASTERS, but also at the website of the Doo-Wop Society attempting to learn more about the CALVANES and the MEDALLIONS, guest stars on "GOING HOME". It amazed me how much history that is involved on this CD....but, that's a whole other story.

On "GONG HOME", a reunion tour live CD, all five of the original BLASTERS - PHIL ALVIN on guitar and vocals; Brother DAVE ALVIN on lead guitar; JOHN BAZZ on bass; BILL BATEMAN on drums; GENE TAYLOR on keyboard are joined by some legendary special guests. Those guest include SUN RECORDS Recording Artist SONNY BURGESS, Chicago Blues Man BILLY BOY ARNOLD, Doo-Wop Legends FREDDIE WILLIS and HERMAN PRUITT from THE CALVANES, and BILLY FOSTER and BUBBA CARTER from THE MEDALLIONS.

The BLASTERS have succeeded in mixing more genres of music on one CD than I have ever thought possible and the result is staggering. Their special formula of Blues, Doo-Wop, Gospel, R&B, Rock, Rockabilly, Soul and Swing combined to create an explosion of musical energy. The guitars, drums and piano are played to an exhilarating level of exhaustion. From the opening cut of "MARIE MARIE" to 16th cut of "FLIP FLOP & FLY", "GOING HOME" is a relentless presentation of hard driving music, superb vocals and extraordinary harmonizing.

My particular favorite cuts on this CD were all of the ones featuring the CALVANES and the MEDALLIONS...."HELP YOUR DREAM" - which had a bizarre resemblance to an old JOHNNY CASH song called "NORTH TO ALASKA", "HAVE MERCY BABY" - which literally had me jumping in my seat and constantly hitting replay, and "ONE BAD STUD" - which is the fastest, most rocking cut on the CD.

THE BLASTERS - LIVE - "GOING HOME" is also available on DVD which I also have the pleasure of possessing. These items, the CD and the DVD, have been huge source of my entertainment of late. I highly recommend obtaining both.